A duo of pickpocketing women, who targeted Londoners and tourists, including a woman with a pram, have been jailed after they were stung by undercover officers.

Totka Dimitrova (48) of Haslebury Road, Edmonton, and Sofiya Ivanova (23) of Pentland Close, Edmonton, were each arrested in the Covent Garden area of London on 29 July.

Early that day, both women were seen by BTP officers on patrol at Covent Garden Underground station. The officers grew suspicious of the women’s suspicious behaviour and began to following them.

Both women, who are from Bulgaria, then entered a shop in the Covent Garden area and began to target unsuspecting customers, attempting to pickpocket items from their bags.

In the space of ten minutes, the dastardly duo attempted to steal items from four different customers in the shop. Officers observed this behaviour and arrested them both.

At the Central London Magistrates’ Court on 30 July, Inanova admitted four counts of attempted theft and was handed an 18 week prison sentence. On the same day, Dimitrova admitted three charges of attempted theft and was also handed a 18 week prison sentence. They were each ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £122.

CCTV footage captures the moment that both women target their victims – using items of clothing to disguise their tricks.

Detective Inspector Tim Weekes from British Transport Police, said: “This was a great example of how our plain clothed teams catch offenders and secure custodial prison sentences, often within 24 hours. Both defendants attempted to mask their tricks, however they were clearly unaware they were being trailed by our skilled team of officers.

“The CCTV footage show just how brazen this pair of pickpockets are. They arrogantly target three customers within the space of ten minutes, even targeting an unsuspecting mother with a pram.

“This week, British Transport Police has launched a week of action to tackle pickpocketing and theft on London’s rail and Tube network. Each day, our specialist teams have conducted patrols throughout the Underground network, arresting thieves and providing advice to passengers on how to keep their belongings safe.”

Sofiya Ivanova

Totka Dimitrova

Leave a Reply